Midnight Shift Officers Arrest Thief

Catalytic Convertor Thief Arrested

Wrentham Police Sgt. George Labonte and Patrolman Scott Ellis arrested Jeffrey M. Waterman, age 38, of 900 Washington Street, Wrentham, MA for the attempted theft of catalytic converters from Turnpike Truck located on Route 1, Wrentham, MA.

Sgt. Labonte and Officer Ellis were both working the midnight to eight shift and decided to set up surveillance on Turnpike Truck and Helping Hands of America, two businesses where catalytic converter theft has been an on-going problem. In the course of the surveillance, Officer Ellis observed flashlight beams and notified Sgt. Labonte. The two officers set up a perimeter and then moved in to apprehend Waterman who was hiding on the property. Waterman was dressed in dark clothing, wearing a knit hat and gloves, was carrying a flashlight and had numerous sawzall blades in his possession. Also recovered were a cordless sawzall and a catalytic converter that had been cut from a vehicle.

Wrentham along with other communities has experienced increased incidents of catalytic converter thefts from local garages, car dealers and from the Wrentham Outlet Mall. The catalytic converter is an emission-controlling device that is a part of the exhaust system of many automobiles and trucks. The platinum on the converter makes it a valuable device at scrap yards where thieves turn them in for cash. The units are generally removed very quickly with a sawzall tool, hacksaw or pipe cutter.

Waterman was placed under arrest and taken the Wrentham police station for booking. Wrentham, Norfolk and State Police K9 searched the area for additional suspects to no avail. The investigation is continuing.

Motor Vehicle Crash on Taunton Street

4/19/2011 10:10:16 PM

Wrentham Police Department

Press Release

Motor Vehicle Crash on

Taunton Street

// Fatality

On 4/19/2011 at or around 4:00 PM, Officer Jon Coliflores, Officer David Halloway and Sergeant James Barrett responded to a head-on motor vehicle crash on Taunton Street in Wrentham about ½ mile from the Plainville town line.

Officer Coliflores, Officer Halloway and Sergeant Barrett secured the scene and administered first aid to those involved until members of the Wrentham Fire Department arrived.  Members of the Wrentham Police administration, Chief James Anderson, Lieutenant Detective William McGrath and Lieutenant Robillard also responded directly to provide additional support.

Wrentham Police and Fire personnel were assisted by personnel from the Norfolk, Plainville and Foxborough Police and Fire Departments.

The collision involved a car and a mini-van.  The driver of the car was alone and is deceased.  His name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

There were two adults and five children in the mini-van.  All occupants were transported to Rhode Island Hospital for treatment of injuries sustained in the crash.  The names of these individuals are also being withheld pending further investigation.

The accident is being investigated by Officer Jon Coliflores and Officer David Halloway with support from Massachusetts State Police Accident Reconstruction.

More information will be made available as the investigation continues.

Father/Son Duo Caught Red Handed

Robert Fontarosa
Franklin, MA

Michael Fontarosa
Franklin, MA

     A 39 year old man and his 18 year old son were arrested early Friday morning for attempting to steal car parts from motor vehicles parked at a local gas station/automotive repair shop.  Rob Fortenarosa and his son, Michael Fonterarosa, both of 16 Standford Rd Franklin were arrested around 2:00am.

     Sgt. George Labonte was conducting building checks of local businesses when he came across the two.  Officer Scott Ellis was soon on scene to assist.  Sgt. Labonte had checked the gas station about thirty minutes prior and noted Fontenarosa’s vehicle had not been on the property.  Upon further investigation, Sgt. Labonte observed the two males coming from behind the building where several vehicles were parked.

    On the ground behind the building were a socket wrench and socket set.  Fontenarosa first denied ownership of the sockets and wrench until identical sockets were observed in his vehicle.  Also recovered from the vehicle were several hacksaws and a battery powered sawzall.  Michael later made admissions indicating he and his father planned on stealing car parts; however Sgt. Labonte interrupted the crime.

     The Fortentarosa’s were both charged with Attempt to Commit a Crime, Larceny; Possession of Burglarious Tools; Conspiracy to Commit a Crime; and Motor Vehicle Trespass.  They were arraigned at Wrentham District Court Friday morning.

     This arrest comes just a couple months after another man was arrested for stealing catalytic converters from a Wrentham car dealership.  In that case, Officer Scott Ellis observed a man under a car cutting the catalytic converter off.  To read about the last similar case click HERE

Arrests Made For Fradulent Traveler's Checks Used At Wrentham Village Outlets

Kannisha Brooks
Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd.
Newark, NJ 07014

Alisha Fraser
80th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11236

PRESS RELEASE:

On February 11, 2011 police were called to the Wrentham Mall for a report of a woman attempting to pass fraudulent travelers checks.

Sgt. Barrett and Officer Ellis located and arrested Kannisha Brooks, age 27, of

108 Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd, Newark, NJ

. The suspect was first spotted by an alert store employee who recognized her from a previous incident in 2010 when she committed the same offense. At the time of her arrest, police received information about a second suspect who apparently witnessed the arrest and fled the area in a Toyota.

After Ms. Brooks was transported to the Wrentham Police station and bail was set, Ms. Brooks made a telephone call for bail money at which time police waited to see if the second suspect was the person Ms. Brooks called. Within a short time, a Toyota with New York registration plates arrived at the Wrentham Police station. The operator, Alisha Fraser, age 24, of

758 80^th Street, Brooklyn, NY

, was placed under arrest by Lt. Detective McGrath. Twelve shopping bags filled with merchandise purchased with fraudulent travelers checks were recovered from the vehicle, along with fraudulent travelers checks, U.S. currency and a laptop computer.

In addition to the Wrentham arrest, Kannisha Brooks was arrested by the Linden New Jersey Police Department on January 21, 2011. She was charged with forgery, theft by deception, tampering with evidence and possession of marijuana. Ms. Brooks allegedly tried to pay for $439.00 worth of goods at a Walmart, using five suspected counterfeit $100.00 bills. She was arrested during a foot chase during which she attempted to tear up the counterfeit cash. Ms. Brooks was held on $57,500.00 bail.

Ms. Brooks was charged in Wrentham with Uttering a False Instrument. Ms. Fraser was also charged with Uttering and driving on a suspended license.

Both suspects were arraigned on February 14, 2011 at the Wrentham District Court.

Domestic Assault and Battery Leads to Fight With Police

Patrick Brown
Washington Street, Wrentham, MA

In the early morning hours of February 8, 2011, Officers Joe Galvao and Steve Saulnier were dispatched to the Arbor Inn on Rt. 1 for a report of domestic violence.  Officers spoke with a female victim upon their arrival.

The interview led officers to one of the motel rooms.  Officers Saulnier and Galvao spoke with the suspect, Brown, and told him he was under arrest for domestic assault and battery.  Brown began to fight with the officers, punching one of them in the face.

Brown is being charged with Assault and Battery, Attempted Murder, Assault and Battery on a Police Officer and Resisting Arrest.

Brown was arraigned on the charges at Wrentham District Court.

Shoplifting Arrest at the Wrentham Village Premium Outlets

Bernell Sumrall
Washington Street
Norwood, MA

This afternoon (2-5-2011), Sgt. Richard Mayhew, Officers Stephen Hearon and Jon Coliflores responded to the Wrentham Village Premium Outlets for a reported shoplifting at the Cosmetic Store.  When officers arrived,  Officer Hearon responded to the victim store, while Sgt. Mayhew and Officer Coliflores responded to the Converse Store where the suspect was allegedly hiding.

Off. Hearon observed the video surveillance footage and responded to assist Sgt. Mayhew and Off. Coliflores, who was detaining the suspect.  The suspect was the same as seen by Off. Hearon in the video at the Cosmetic Store.  Sumrall was arrested for shoplifting and taken to the Wrentham Police Station where he was booked and processed.  Sumrall was released on personal recognizance and will appear at the Wrentham District Court in the morning.

Drunk Driver Arrested

Daphne Obeid
Dean Street
Norwood, MA

At or around 9:00 on January 31, 2011, a motorist notified the Wrentham Police Department that a vehicle was "all over the road," in the area of Rt. 140.

Sgt. James Barrett intercepted the suspicious vehicle on Rt. 140 (Franklin Street), headed toward Franklin, MA.  Based on his observations of the operation of the vehicle, he stopped the car and identified the operator as Daphne Obeid.

After a brief roadside investigation, Sgt. Barrett arrested Obeid for operating a motor vehicle under the influence of liquor.  She was also charged with several other offenses.

Obeid was transported by a mutual aid Franklin Police Officer to the Wrentham Police Station.  She was booked and processed and released later on personal recognizance.  Obeid was arraigned at Wrentham District Court this morning.